Is Dying Light 1 or 2 Better? It Depends What You Want

As a passionate gamer who has played through both Dying Light games extensively, I‘m often asked: "Is Dying Light 1 or 2 better?" Rather than viewing it as a contest between two titles, I believe it‘s more constructive to highlight how Techland has built upon the original‘s strong foundation over the past 7 years. With superior writing and atmosphere, Dying Light 1 remains an immersive survival-horror experience. Dying Light 2 represents an ambitious evolution that makes meaningful improvements to gameplay systems, world design, graphics, and multiplayer integration.

Dying Light 1‘s Gripping Storytelling Still Shines

Dying Light 1 introduced players to Harran, a quarantined Turkish city overrun by a vicious zombie outbreak. While not always front and center, the main narrative uncovering sinister corporation research was filled with mystery and intrigue. The 25 hour campaign was padded by numerous side quests featuring memorable characters like local runner Jade Aldemir and thug leader Tahir. These optional adventures revealed backstories on those fighting to survive and built relationships between Kyle Crane and the residents of Harran.

Reviewers praised this subtle approach to storytelling and the writers‘ abilities to world-build around the running, jumping, and zombie-slaying. Harran felt alive as players explored its slums, high-rises, and sewers. According to PCGamesN, "the yarn it spins is fist-gnawingly tense", creating an atmosphere that immersed you in the horrors of a viral apocalypse. For those seeking a suspenseful survival narrative in an oppressive, dangerous setting, Dying Light 1 remains a genre standout.

Dying Light 2 Leaps Ahead with Refined Gameplay

Flash forward 15 in-universe years and Dying Light 2‘s setting shifts to The City, an expansive European metropolis ravaged by the zombie infection. Protagonist Aiden Caldwell traverses this space to uncover his mysterious past while getting embroiled in the conflict between human factions vying for power. It‘s an intriguing science fiction premise that allows the writers freedom to insert choice-driven narrative branches.

However, where Dying Light 2 truly evolves past its predecessor is the gameplay. Techland builds upon the signature first-person parkour movement and melee combat systems that made the series popular. With vault kicks, paragliding, and wall running, traversing The City‘s skyline feels faster and more dynamic. The melee weapon pool has expanded greatly with each tool offering uniqueHeavy attack combos introduce new combat depth while skills extend parkour capabilities. Stealth and crafting saw similar additions to provide players more creativity.

EuroGamer said these systems coalesce to offer "endless gameplay potential" while TrustedReviews noted Techland added "new traversal mechanics help keep movement tense and tricky." Reviewers agreed that the quality-of-life improvements make zombie bashing and city navigation continually exciting even after dozens of hours.

Jaw-Dropping Fidelity Thanks to New Hardware

Of course, much has changed in gaming hardware since 2015 as new console generations enabled staggering leaps in graphical quality. Dying Light 2 showcases these advances, bringing the zombie infested city to life on a visual level. With 4K resolution, HDR colors, quality global illumination, and other cutting-edge rendering techniques, The City looks incredibly realistic while maintaining fluid 60 FPS gameplay. Ray tracing further heightens the experience on supported hardware with refined lighting, shadows, and reflections.

Up close, the character models showcase greater detail from highly expressive faces showing emotion to blood-soaked zombie hordes swarming the streets. Destructible environments add new layers of immersion as combat leaves visible marks on the world. Places feel truly lived in, with more diverse architecture and set dressing. GamesRadar summed up the visuals as "astonishingly pretty when you take a moment to admire the view." For players prioritizing graphical excellence, Dying Light 2 sets a new bar.

Stronger Cooperative and Multiplayer Support

Beyond the single player campaign, Dying Light 2 also doubles down on multiplayer and co-op. The original game only supported 2 player co-op for its full campaign and 4 players in its asymmetrical "Be the Zombie" PvP mode. Dying Light 2 expands the cooperative option to 4 players without restrictions while also enhancing the competitive mode‘s player count. This allows for new group strategies like having specific combat, stealth, and support roles. Cross-generation crossplay further unites the community across PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The more seamless integration addresses earlier technical problems that made playing together a headache. IGN said Dying Light 2 "makes playing with friends easy and enjoyable" while WindowsCentral noted the new systems feel like a natural extension instead of a bolted-on mode. For players craving social zombie survival, Dying Light 2 hits the mark.

Ongoing Support with Years of New Content

While many blockbuster titles get abandoned shortly after launch, one area where Techland excels is long-term support. The original Dying Light saw constant expansion with paid DLC drops like The Following and free holiday events for 5 years post-release. Dying Light 2 promises an even more aggressive content roadmap spanning half a decade. The developers plan to release new narrative challenges, enemies, in-game events, mysteries, and gameplay tweaks.

This sustained support transforms each series entry into a platform primed for continued evolution. We‘ve already seen substantial improvements that address technical shortcomings in Dying Light 2 since its February 2022 launch. Continued investment into the thriving franchise ensures there‘s always a reason for parkour fans to return to the apocalypse.

The Last Sunset…For Now

By focusing closely on gameplay variety, next-generation graphics, and multiplayer fun, Dying Light 2 pushes the envelope of what a modern open world action game can offer. It expands the zombie premise of the original while introducing welcome quality-of-life enhancements that may appeal to a wider audience hungry for AAA polish. However, Dying Light still remains unmatched when it comes to intimate storytelling in a believable horror setting.

For newcomers seeking visceral survival thrills or series veterans wanting a bigger, bolder playground, you can‘t go wrong with either series entry. Both Dying Light games have unique strengths worthy of celebration. As Techland maintains long-term support for Dying Light 2 with exciting new content, I hope they‘ll eventually return to the grittier, panic-inducing roots of Harran. But until then, happy surviving!